Monthly Archives: July 2015

Site News

The Commons wants you!

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Here’s a reminder that the blog has a new section, called The Commons. The Commons is here to make it easy for community members to submit content to the blog. Reviews, news, features, interviews, news tips and more are welcome. (Photos, for now, have to get here by email.) See the sidebar for a list of Commons articles.

All you have to do is go to the “Write For The BHB” link in the top menu (or just click this) and write your content in there.

Once approved (it’s moderated, but just to keep out spammers), your content goes live on the Commons where it can be read and discussed by community members. Some Commons articles will be promoted to the main BHB page (and moved out of the Commons section). Recent Commons posts are listed in the right-hand column of all pages on the Beacon Hill Blog.

Try it out and see how you can easily contribute to your neighborhood blog in The Commons! If you’re thinking of posting a neighborhood event on Facebook or the mailing list, think about posting it here too.

(Your editor is out of town for a bit so blog content has slowed down until I get back — but I’m keeping up with all the Commons posts that come in, so feel free to submit posts!)

The Commons

Local non-profit needs volunteers

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Have an interest in or experience with volunteer engagement, the nonprofit community, and/or project management? You’re invited to get involved and help a local non-profit to plan, implement and manage the projects needed to take the organization’s volunteer program to the next level.

VIP Manager Corps is a United Way of King County program managed in partnership with 501 Commons. VMC provides community volunteers with the tools needed to help local non-profit organizations develop effective volunteer management practices. Several participating organizations are located around Beacon Hill.

This volunteer role has been a rewarding opportunity for community members looking for a meaningful way to apply their skills and experience in the nonprofit community. Volunteers gain the opportunity to apply their own skills and experience in a new context, work closely with a local organization and earn an $800 service award.

To apply or learn more about the VMC Member role, please visit 501Commons.org/volunteer/VMC and feel free to contact Gwyn Howard, gwyn@501commons.org, with any questions.

The Commons

E Team is the next free Meaningful Movie

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Image from the movie E Team.
Image from the movie E Team.
Local, volunteer-powered Beacon Hill Meaningful Movies screens the documentary E Team on Friday, July 17 at the Garden House (2336 15th Ave. S) at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:15. Free movie, free popcorn!

This film follows four members of the Emergencies Team (E Team) of the respected, international human rights group, Human Rights Watch. Trained to deal with unfolding crises, the team flies to hotspots all over the world as soon as allegations of human rights abuse surface. They gather crucial evidence to determine if further investigation is warranted and if so, to interview, document and capture the world’s attention. Human rights abuses thrive on secrecy and silence and the work of the E Team, backed by HRW has shone light in dark places and given voice to thousands who stories would never otherwise have been told.

The camera follows the E-Team investigators into the field as they smuggle themselves across the Syrian border to conduct undercover investigations as the civil war rages around them.

Each team member is visited at home away from conflict zones showing how they try to balance family and personal relationships with the challenges of their E Team work around the world. Though they are very different people, they share a fearless spirit and a deep commitment to exposing and halting human rights abuses everywhere.

(Thanks, Christina, for posting to The Commons! — Ed.)

Food and Drink

Free summer meals, arts and fun this summer at El Centro de la Raza

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Click through to see the full PDF.
Click through to see the full PDF.
Ruth Harbaugh of Americorps VISTA and the End Summer Hunger Corps sent us the following announcement of interest to Beacon Hill families:

Parents, are you looking for more fun, healthy things to do with your kids this summer? Bring them over to El Centro de la Raza for free lunch and fun activities every weekday!

We welcome all kids/youth 18 and under to join us for lunch and fun crafts, games, sports and activities every Monday-Friday from 11:30-1 p.m. in the playground.

Did you know over the summer families spend an increased $1000 in food while kids are home from school? Save money and feed your kiddos healthy, nutritious lunches at our free lunch program. The program will run every week though 8/14.

No proof of income, address, or citizenship is ever required, all children/youth 18 years and under are always welcome!

The El Centro de la Raza Playground is located at 2524 16th Ave S. Activities and lunches will be offered every Monday-Friday from 11:30 to 1 p.m. If you have questions about the program, call 1-888-436-6392, text MEALS to 96859 or visit parenthelp123.org.

City Services, Education

Seattle Preschool Program providers announced; enrollment open

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King County Executive Dow Constantine and a Seattle delegation visited Boston and New Jersey to learn about their universal preschool models in 2014. Photo by Dan Nolte, courtesy of the KC Executive’s office.
On Monday, Mayor Murray announced the first 14 providers of the Seattle Preschool Program, including several in the Beacon Hill area serving the attendance areas of Dearborn Park, Maple, Beacon International and Kimball elementary schools.

Enrollment for the program is opening now. All 4-year-olds in the city (regardless of income level) are eligible to apply, as are 3-year-olds from households at 300% and below of the Federal poverty line.

For more information, see the SPP website.